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[abbyH]

Hi there, apologies if this has been answered
Just trying to get some sort of workable HRT regime sorted out
I have no ovaries (removed in June) and no womb
I am currenlty taking  1 pump Oestrogel only but feel not great.. dry ears nose and sore throat.. More hair loss (now have lost nearly all of it......Ginormous boobs (as in pregnant feeling!) and low mood... also ruff of fat around middle, no where else...

I am trying to get my GP to add testosterone, but not getting very far
What other regimes are you all on? I know not having a womb means I dont technically 'need' progesterone, but should I be taking it anyway to balance ? I think I felt better on the regime I was on which was 100mg Uterogestan and oestrogen ...

and should I increase to 2 pumps ? without any tests having been done on me post ovary removal I have no ideas what my levels are can I ask doc to test my sex hormones now? They always refused before as peri..

I have an appointment DR Panay's clinic, but not until March 2017! I dont' think I can go on like this until then!

Thanks again for your help and advice

Abby

[Dancinggirl]

You don't say how old you are but I'm afraid one pump of Oestrogel is probably not enough.  2 pumps per day is a standard dose and some women find they need to go higher to get the full benefit.  Perhaps ask your GP to do a blood test to see what your oestrogen levels are - if you are under 50 then you will need enough oestrogen to protect your heart and bones for the longer term.  A blood test will show whether you are getting enough oestrogen.  I would definitely go up to 2 pumps per day for a few weeks to see if things improve.
Panay may be able to help re Testosterone but upping your oestrogen first would be the best thing to do. DG x

[abbyH]

THanks for that Dancing Girl.. it's the huge boobs that are making me feel down too.. Are they likely to get bigger? or will this just settle down over time?

I'll try going up to two pumps and see how I go

Thanks
Abby

[Tempest]

Oh dear me, no! One pump is DEFINITELY not enough Abby!! I'm also in surgical menopause, and can tell you that 1 definitely did nothing good for me.

As DG said, you need a decent estrogen level - especially if you would like to add Testosterone and as I know your appointment is with Nick Panay in March (at the moment) I would try to raise your levels before then. No wonder you're feeling rotten.

If you need a buddy who's travelling down the same road, then I'm here.

Hugs!

[abbyH]

Thanks Tempest, I'm just really struggling with weight gain and breast enlargement! I really dont feel good about that.. Is it Oestrogel do you think? would switching to a patch make any difference? OK will up to two pumps for sure! and see how I feel...

Thanks!
xx

[Dancinggirl]

Enlarged and sore breasts are very common when first going onto HRT - my gynae described this as the body ‘waking up'.  It dose usually settle as your body adjusts. Weight gain is usually down to the menopause anyway and nothing to do with HRT - we all find we have to eat less and get enough exercise as we progress into meno to keep the weight under control - you have been plunged into meno post op so your body is screaming for oestrogen.  Cut out sugar and reduce portions.
Patches won't be any different to the Oestrogel - it's all oestrogen.  Dg x

[abbyH]

Thanks DG.. yes I hear you on the weight gain.. I'm running, dancing, yoga-ing and will look at portions/carbs etc...

The boobs are large, but not sore or lumpy (thank god!)

I'm a 32 B kinda girl normally and reckon up to a D at least!

I know people pay for this sort of enlargement, but I prefer mine the old way!

Maybe will settle in a few months?

xx

[cubagirl]

Definitely need more oestrogel abbyH. Doesn't matter if gel or patch the effects are the same. Wish I was 32B or even 32D. Mine went from 34D to 36FF.

I suffered with really sore boobs for a while.

[ardee]

It seems that you are in a similar position to me.  I too have no womb or ovaries since my hysterectomy a year ago.  I'm 43 now.  I tried several HRTs and needed the higher dose of Premarin (1.25mg) to keep the hot flushes and night sweats at bay.  That solved that problem but I am also having terrible mood swings and I have now asked my GP if I can go back on Tibolone, which is a synthetic HRT that mimics not only oestrogen  but also progestrogen and testosterone.  The GP wouldn't give me a prescription immediately, she wanted to go away and check with her colleagues.  I am hoping for a call back tomorrow to confirm that I can do this.

I suggest you increase your oestrogen HRT, to the maximum possible if doing less doesn't help.  If that still doesn't work then maybe go back to your GP and ask for something else.  There are various different types of oestrogen only HRTs available but maybe if no type works you also need some progestrogen and perhaps testosterone

[abbyH]

WHy would you GP need to check ? I dont' get it.. So basically GP's are our gateways to HRT yet seem to know very little about it and feel unsure prescribing what we need...
Meno clinics are not in every county/area.. and women are having to scramble to get appointments

Yet the menopause happens.. To EVERYONE!!!! oh, apart from Daily Mail commenters on HRT articles who all say 'I sailed through no need for nasty hormones, what are all these women moaning about etc etc"

It makes me angry.. and want to do something!!!1

Hope you are ok xx

[cubagirl]

Indeed where are these women & how did they manage it? 

[abbyH]

cubagirl... not women but Trolls!!1
 

[Tempest]

Indeed, Abby! I've read some of the comments on DM articles and trolling is rife.

By the way, welcome back Cubagirl!

[daisie]

 i had a hysterectomy 1 year ago now my gynea give me estrogel gel ..made me feel crap so i stopped it ,i did read that you still need both homones when you have had your ovaries and womb removed as the body does need them to function also to balance out the estrogen. iv made an appointment with doctor tomorrow .feel i am still getting all the menopause symptoms still.ill see what he has to offer me

[Tempest]

Welcome, Daisie! So you've had both ovaries and uterus removed? And you're not on anything at the moment? It's very rare in the UK to be given Progesterone if you have had a hysterectomy - the  vast majority of professionals here don't think it's necessary.

How much Estrogel did you use and if you don't mind me asking, what age are you?